My client came to me ready to buy her very first home. We started our search close to home in Cleveland and Gaston County, but the right house for her turned up in Lexington, NC. It was a long drive and well outside the area I usually work, but she was my client and I wasn’t going to tell her no. So we made the drive, and we got her that house.
$0 at Closing and an $800 Check Back
Upfront costs are one of the biggest worries for first-time buyers. As part of our offer, we negotiated for the seller to contribute toward her closing costs. On closing day, she didn’t bring a single dollar to the table. She walked out with her keys and an $800 check.
A week after she moved in, I was still checking on her to make sure she had everything she needed. Buying your first home is a big deal, and my job doesn’t end when the keys change hands.
“When I say hands down the best realtor!! She helped me with everything and always asked and answered the questions I didn’t know to ask. I’m almost a week into homeownership and she is still asking and making sure I have everything I need! If you need a realtor that you want to care about you and your needs I highly recommend!”
My buyer, in her 5-star Google review
How Seller-Paid Closing Costs Work
In North Carolina, a buyer can ask the seller to pay part of their closing costs as part of the offer, often called seller concessions. Whether a seller agrees depends on the home, the market and how the offer is written, and loan programs set limits on how much a seller can contribute. Every deal is different, but it’s always worth asking, and a well-negotiated offer can make a big difference in how much cash you need.
First-time buyers may also qualify for NC Housing Finance Agency programs. A good lender can tell you what you qualify for. See my preferred lenders and Home Buyers Guide.
Thinking About Buying But Worried About Upfront Costs?
There may be more options than you think. I help buyers in Shelby, Gastonia, Kings Mountain, Belmont and across Cleveland and Gaston County, and I’ll go the extra mile when the right home is somewhere else. Call or text me at 929-327-9265. Se habla español.
Jessica Quito is a licensed North Carolina real estate broker with eXp Realty. Every transaction is different; results are not guaranteed.